Saturday, April 19, 2008

Baltimore tight end Sypniewski suffers knee injury During a minicamp practice Friday morning, tight end Quinn Sypniewski's left knee buckled after hauling in a pass and awkwardly bumping into linebacker Antwan Barnes. In obvious pain, the 6-foot-6, 270-pounder was carted off the field. There's concern that this could be a season-ending injury that would require surgery according to the Carroll County Times.

Afterward, Sypniewski was on crutches in the locker room and had a walking cast on his leg before leaving the training complex to undergo a magnetic resonance imaging exam. Further tests are going to be conducted to determine the full severity of the injury.

"You hate to see that, you don't want to see guys go down, said tight end Todd Heap, the only healthy tight end on the roster since backup Daniel Wilcox isn't fully recovered from ankle surgery. "It does not look good. I definitely feel for Quinn right now, and I hope he's all right."

Seattle Seahawks general manager Tim Ruskell on Friday said there is a good chance the team will trade down in the April 26-27 draft in order to acquire additional picks.

The Seahawks hold the 25th (first round), 55th (second round) and 86th (third round) selections. Seattle does not have a fifth-round pick, which was traded to Jacksonville for running back Alvin Pearman last season.

Ruskell said because the Seahawks signed running backs to fill a need in free agency, they have the flexibility to move around in any round to acquire extra picks.

He might be the only man who has started in the Pro Bowl who has so many questions about his role in his organization. Some people at Valley Ranch don't trust him on the field anymore. Don't be surprised if Williams is benched on third downs this fall. Teams love throwing to the tight end on third down to keep the chains moving.

Williams knows he's not the same player he was a few years ago. His ears work. He knows the critics are out there. He did himself no favors in the locker room last year by being suspended for a horse collar tackle on Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb. Wade Phillips also chose not to start him for two games. He didn't register a single sack in 2007.

If McFadden is available at No.6, will Jets take him? Arkansas running back Darren McFadden, once thought to be unattainable for the New York Jets at No. 6 overall, recently has been rumored to be falling somewhat. His character has been called into question as the result of two incidents outside nightclubs in 2006 and last January. He was not charged in the recent incident, but he is waiting for the follow-up results of a second test in a paternity suit — the first test showed him not to be the father — and he has two other paternity cases to be resolved.

Clinkscales, however, said McFadden passed the organization's extensive vetting and that the team would be comfortable selecting him. "If we draft a player, we've checked out his character thoroughly," Clinkscales said. "If that's the pick [McFadden] we choose to make, we'll be comfortable with that decision."

They also would be comfortable with the player they've been most linked to, Ohio State defensive end Vernon Gholston. "Vernon's a very explosive player," Bradway said.

Williams had his left tknee cleaned out, according o team sources. Williams' right knee was cleaned out April 1. His recovery from the procedure is expected to take two to three weeks, about the same time as his recovery from the first procedure.

Twelve Chargers, including eight starters, have undergone offseason surgery. There is a possibility tight end Antonio Gates (toe) and center Nick Hardwick (foot) will not be ready for the start of the season.

The Eagles can't comment on Robertson, who is still property of the Jets but became trade bait when New York switched to a 3-4 defensive alignment this off-season and signed Kris Jenkins to play nose tackle. Robertson�was also in conversations with at least four other teams, said one source, who couldn't confirm if the Eagles had made an offer to the Jets.

The Eagles have 11 picks in the draft, which starts next Saturday, and could pick up more if they deal cornerback Lito Sheppard. The Denver Broncos are also reportedly interested in Robertson.

A three-day minicamp this week revealed a young, relatively untested roster. There is a lack of depth at several positions and the need for immediate help at others. Whom the Falcons will select with the No. 3 overall pick in the draft is the biggest question. Yet the players acquired with the second- and mid-round picks could prove most crucial. The Falcons need as many as two starters and other rotational players to step in right away.

Should the Falcons retain the No. 3 pick, Boston College quarterback Matt Ryan, Michigan offensive tackle Jake Long and LSU nose tackle Glenn Dorsey are on the short list. Each fills a position of need. Ryan likely would sit for most of the season, learning and waiting for a solid offensive line to be formed.